In this episode of Perception Paradox, Zivile sits down with longtime friend Egita Polanska, investor and partner at Latvia-based Outlast Fund, to unpack what it really takes to build a startup that lasts.

They discuss Egita’s path from accelerator and ecosystem roles to launching a fund across the Nordics and Baltics, what she looks for in founders, and why 2026 is pushing everyone back to fundamentals—solving real problems, building with resilience, and outlasting the hype (including the next phase of AI).

A conversation about long-term thinking, founder psychology, and the truth behind early-stage investing.

About Egita: Egita Polanska is a Founding Partner at Outlast Fund and a long-time builder of the Baltic and Nordic startup ecosystem. With over a decade of experience, she has worked hands-on with early-stage founders across Europe, leading accelerator programs and supporting companies from first traction to scale. Previously, Egita held leadership roles at Startup Wise Guys, Startup House, and Techstars Seattle, and has been deeply involved in shaping Latvia’s startup landscape through TechHub Riga, TechChill, and national innovation initiatives.

Connect with Egita: https://www.linkedin.com/in/egitapolanska/
Hosted by Zivile (Zivi) Einikyte:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to Perception Paradox

04:47 The Birth of Outlast Fund

10:43 Investment Strategies and Trends

12:45 Current Trends in the Startup Ecosystem

15:46 Identifying Resilient Founders

20:03 Balancing Data and Emotion in Investment

20:19 Why Stay in the Startup Scene?

22:33 Looking Ahead: Trends in Startups and AI

26:39 Challenges Faced by Investors

29:31 Differentiating in a Competitive Market

32:53 Finding Inspiration and Overcoming Fears

Everyone is looking for a longevity shortcut.

But there isn’t one.

In this paradox byte, Erika explains why longevity is deeply personal - rooted in sleep, movement, nutrition, mental health, and self-responsibility. Science isn’t chasing a magic pill. It keeps pointing us back to the same foundations.

Longevity isn’t about living forever.

It’s about living well - longer.

Full conversation on Perception Paradox.

Recorded live at Slush, this episode of Perception Paradox dives into the reality behind longevity- far beyond supplements, trends, and Instagram biohacks.

I’m joined by Erika Paule, founder in the longevity and biotech space, who started long before longevity became a buzzword. We talk about why most people get health optimization wrong, why longevity must be personalized, and how coming back to basics — sleep, nutrition, movement, mental health, and data — matters more than chasing the latest hack.

We also unpack:

• Why biotech is still early at tech conferences
• The pyramid of supplementation (and where most people fail)
• Women’s health, cycles, and why “one template fits all” doesn’t work
• Longevity as healthspan, not lifespan
  

A grounded, honest conversation from the Slush meeting area — for anyone curious about living better, not just longer.

🎧 Recorded live at Slush 2025

Hosted by Zivile (Zivi) Einikyte

https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

00:23 Live from Slush: why Erika is here & what she’s building

01:10 Why longevity wasn’t “cool” when she started

02:15 From personal health needs to founding a longevity company

03:55 The supplementation pyramid: nutrition first, always

05:15 Blood tests, DNA tests & personalization

06:40 Why longevity influencers get it wrong

07:55 The five pillars of longevity explained

09:10 Women’s health, cycles & why research is finally catching up

10:20 Longevity = healthspan, not lifespan

11:35 AI, data & the future of personalized longevity

12:45 Final thought: there is no universal longevity protocol

In this episode of Perception Paradox, Zivile (Zivi) sit down with Sem Verbeek, a professional tennis player whose journey challenges everything we think we know about talent, timing, and success.

Sem didn’t grow up as the most gifted junior. He wasn’t “the obvious one.” Instead, he built his career slowly - through discipline, emotional work, and a deep curiosity about life beyond sport. They talk about what happens when your identity becomes performance - and how to separate your self-worth from results in a world that constantly measures you.

This conversation explores:

• Why nerves and excitement are the same in the brain — and how to use them
• The underdog path of becoming a late bloomer in pro tennis
• Discipline as emotional regulation — not punishment
• How routines and breathwork (4-7-8, double inhale) support mental health
• Doubles tennis as a lesson in trust, communication, and letting go of control
• Why you are not your ranking — and never were
  

Whether you’re an athlete, founder, or high performer, this episode is a reminder that growth doesn’t always look loud - and that freedom often comes from structure.

Key takeaway: You are enough. You belong. And new habits don’t need a new year to begin.

About Sem:

Sem Verbeek is a professional tennis player from Amsterdam, the Netherlands. He has a career-high ranking of 29 in the world on the ATP Tour and won the 2025 Wimbledon Mixed Doubles title alongside Katerina Siniakova.

Sem spent 3 years at he IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida from ages 14-17 before pursuing a degree in Health and Exercise Science. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in that degree from the University of the Pacific in 2016.

Instagram: www.instagram.com/semver

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sem-verbeek

Twitter/X: www.x.com/semverbeekNL

Hosted by: Zivile (Zivi) Einikyte:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:42 The Underdog Nobody Expected

06:42 When Tennis Became Serious

10:50 Choosing Between Studies and Sport

14:48 Discipline, Priorities, and Growing Up Early

17:55 A Day in the Life of a Pro Athlete

23:37 Why Nerves Are Actually Excitement

30:50 Doubles Tennis Trust Over Control

34:30 Communication Under Pressure

39:53 Losing, Failure, and Self Worth

42:33 Staying Grounded While Always on the Road

47:38 Breathwork, Mental Health, and Performance

52:42 Discipline Creates Freedom

58:56 New Year Goals You Don’t Have to Wait

01:03:44 Final Thoughts and Closing Message

A 3-minute breakdown of the storytelling framework every creator should know — hooks, conflict, and the three-act structure. With Kayvan Nikjou, live from Web Summit 2025.

To start 2026 with clarity, we’re replaying one of our most relevant conversations.

In this episode, Zivile speaks with entrepreneur and mentor Dan Tyre about goal setting, optimism, and building sustainable momentum. They explore why mindset is not “soft,” how discipline compounds over time, and why focusing on what you can control is the foundation of long-term success.

A timeless conversation for founders, leaders, and anyone setting meaningful goals.

🎧 Originally recorded ahead of a new year — still deeply relevant.

Hosted by Zivile (Zivi) Einikyte

Chapters

0:00 Introduction and Background

08:25 Dan's Entrepreneurial Journey

14:04 The Role of Goal Setting in Success

19:47 Strategies for Sticking to Goals

25:00 The Power of Trust and Belief

30:16 Empowering Underdogs and Diversity in Business

36:10 Harnessing Technology for Future Success

41:19 Final Thoughts: Setting Goals

We talk a lot about short attention spans.
But maybe the real problem isn’t attention - it’s meaning.

In this trailer, Allan Davidson -journalist, broadcaster, and creator of over 9,000 shows - reflects on how storytelling survives in an age of scrolling, noise, and shrinking formats.

We explore:– Why attention hasn’t disappeared, it’s become selective– What still holds people for hours, not seconds– How curiosity shapes the work we choose to do– Why vision matters when the path keeps changing

This is not a conversation about trends.
It’s about choosing what’s worth paying attention to - and why.

Hosted by: Zivile (Zivi) Einikyte

Everyone wants “AI for events.” But Ben Costantini argues the real issue is underneath: outdated revenue infrastructure, fixed inventory, and pricing systems that don’t match how startups actually spend.

A sharp 5-10 minute Paradox Byte recorded at Slush - for anyone building events, selling through events, or tired of conference noise.

Full episode is available on Perception Paradox podcast - E116.